Simple list . . . of 8 Realizations . . .

Good morning, dear Sanghas.

Last night, 30 of us came together and enjoyed the first session of a ten-week practice period Jon and Michael are offering on the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings. (This will be repeated Thursday at 1:00 at the Two Palms Up Sangha for those for whom daytime meetings are more convenient :-)

Michael shared with us his “simple list” of these Eight Realizations, which I am setting out here.

1. Impermanence

2. More desire brings more suffering

3. The Mind endlessly searches outside itself, and therefore never feels fulfilled.

4. Laziness is an obstacle to practice.

5. Ignorance is the cause of the endless round of birth and death.

6. Poverty creates anger and hated.

7. Getting Caught by sensual desire leads to problems.

8. Fire of birth and death is raging, causing endless suffering.

We invite you to memorize this list or spend time with the Sutra and create your own “simple list” that you will then be able to access in moments when the teachings will help you to meet a “now” that calls for your innate wisdom.